On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Army veteran Cappuccio standing in front of his home.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
George Cappucio, 99-year-old of Hammonton WWII veteran who saw heavy artillery for almost two years during the war talks about it in his front yard Monday Oct 19, 2020.. He said he was shot at a lot and lost some good friends. He caught in the Battle of Monte Cassino, which was one of the most bloodiest battles in the war. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. The Egg Harbor City trio Not Another Oompah Band, (l-r) Greg Schwrz, Matt Craven, and Jim Schwarz, perform several melodies for George from across the street.
Anna Dougherty, a granddaughter of George, drives with her boyfriend Brian Malley. More photos are at PressofAC.com.
The American Legion in Hammonton organized a drive-by car parade Sunday by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Bret Tunick hands Cappuccio a birthday sign.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
HAMMONTON — A World War II veteran who turned 100 on Sunday got a special salute from the town when a parade of cars, trucks and musical bands went by his home just for him.
“You should have heard the horns, people whistling — you’d think I had just won the war all by myself!” joked George Cappuccio. “I can’t explain what I feel having this group here.”
He and wife, Agatha, will celebrate their 75th anniversary in two days, Cappuccio said.
Grandson-in-law Blake Boffa said the Hammonton American Legion was the main organizer. It started at 2 p.m.
Cappuccio said he was surprised by it. He had played trumpet for the Weekstown German Band for about 20 years, Cappuccio said, and some of his old band members marched and played for him. At about 3 p.m., Cappuccio said there were still about 20 people who stayed to celebrate.
In an interview in November, Cappuccio said he considers himself to be a “lucky guy” for having such a loving family and for surviving.
Cappuccio fought in the United States Army’s 995th field artillery battalion from October 1942 to October 1945, which was in combat primarily in Italy, France and Germany. The WWII veteran left to go overseas when he was 21 and was originally deployed from New York to Africa. From there, he landed in Naples, Italy.
The biggest battle he experienced was the Battle of Monte Cassino, which was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war, lasting from January to May of 1944.
There were about 55,000 Allied casualties and an estimated 20,000 Axis casualties.
Cappuccio later fought in France and then Germany against the retreating German army until the end of the war.
The Hammonton native said he has been back to visit Germany, but wasn’t able to get back to Italy.
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On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Bret Tunick with a message of happy birthday for George.
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022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Tom Willett of Collings Lake fastens balloons onto his car before the parade.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
The American Legion in Hammonton organized a drive-by car parade Sunday by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Bret Tunick hands Cappuccio a birthday sign.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. West Orange resident Amanda Dougherty places a "100" sign on the side of her car.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
Anna Dougherty, a granddaughter of George, drives with her boyfriend Brian Malley. More photos are at PressofAC.com.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Bret Tunick hands out balloons to any driver who wants them fastened to their car.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. The Egg Harbor City trio Not Another Oompah Band, (l-r) Greg Schwrz, Matt Craven, and Jim Schwarz, perform several melodies for George from across the street.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Army veteran Cappuccio standing in front of his home.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
022221_nws_veteran
On Feb. 21 2021, in Hammonton, a parade organized by the American Legion drove by the home of George Cappuccio, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
Michelle Brunetti Post
Staff Writer
In my first job after college got paid to read the New York Times and summarize articles for an early online data base. First reporting job was with The Daily Record in Parsippany. I have also worked in nonprofits, and have been with The Press since 1990.
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